|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:43 pm
You need to get out more. Astarteth complained for the umpteenth time in her short lifespan. The little green was once again trying to coax Kallista into heading towards the weyrbowl or the caverns or anyplace besides their place in the barracks to socialize some.
Apparently, Astarteh had no problems in talking with the others when she was inclined.
"Fine. We shall go to the shore of the lake and I will oil you. How does that sound?" Kallista grabbed a soft rag, a jar of sweet smelling oil and put on her "work" clothes. By now, she had become used to her green's insistence at looking her best even when no others were looking her way. Pants rolled up and hair pulled back, Kallista scooped up Astarteth who promptly squealed and demanded to be put down.
Kaaaallistaaa.... I can walk myself. I am not some flit to be treated like a pet. I am a dragon.
"That you are, my love. And you are my dragon." She reminded her beloved. All and all, she put Astar back down and watched the green waddle in the direction of the lake. Her chest got tight every time they had to go near the waters and she hadn't yet explained to Astarteth or anyone else in the weyrling barracks why she feared the open waters so much.
Hurry! Hurry! I think I see another person out there. And a brown! The sun is so nice and warm. Move faster. Impatient thoughts broke through.
Chuckling, Kallista picked up her pace. After all, just because she no longer ran meant that she had gotten slow. In the mornings, when Astarteth was still asleep, she ran around the weyrbowl to keep in shape.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:32 pm
Since Daramulath had claimed him, it was difficult for E'rik to find time to practice his music, especially now that Weyrling lessons had begun. But there were certain times of the day when E'rik could steal time almost to himself (for he could never be truly alone with Daramulath as his bondmate). He wasn't going to risk his guitar by bringing it to the lakeside - not with his brown dragonet's fondness for splashing about - but he didn't mind bringing his pipes, and he always had his best instrument, his voice, with him.
He had, for the moment, put the pipes aside and begun to sing. Daramulath, paddling about in the shallows of the lake, said he preferred E'rik's voice to any of his other instruments anyway. E'rik laughed: "I spent years perfecting it just for you."
Someone comes. My clutchmate Astarteth, Daramulath warned, speaking to E'rik from below the water. And her human.
Daramulath, E'rik was learning, was not terribly good with human names, though he remembered dragons well enough. It was an interesting exercise for E'rik, who was very good with names and faces, but inexperienced at recognizing dragons. It meant he had to learn to think of people as his bondmate did. It also meant he had to think hard to remember who Astarteth had Impressed to, to remember which of the greens was Astarteth.
You don't remember either, Daramulath said as he resurfaced. Don't worry. When you see her you'll recognize her.
E'rik gave in and turned around in time to recognize the a person with a slim runner's build jogging with a dragonet. Kallista, then. Hers was the very talkative dragon, he thought, though he wasn't sure. He could sense Daramulath in the back of his mind, laughing good-naturedly at his bondmate's lack of conviction. He raised one hand in greeting to the runner. If she and Astarteth decided to join them, he didn't mind, but, as he reminded Daramulath, if she decided to join them, he would have to stay up late to make up for his lost practice time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:51 pm
A voice had started to sing before stopping suddenly. Immediately, Kallista recognized it as one of the riders who had come from the Harper Hall. Though she had had no contact with him, Kallista never forgot a face. Her keen eyes noticed a set of pipes sitting beside him as well as a brown that was splashing merrily in the lake.
Daramulath. A nice looking brown, yes? He will enjoy looking at me when skin is nice and shiny. Astarteth supplied. She did not know who his rider was nor did she care.
When the newly made brown rider waved at her, Kallista responded in good nature. It did not take her long to reach the shores. The green was right and it was a perfect day to be out. The sky was cloudless, the shores populated but not crowded, and the warmth was enough to make one either sleepy or in the mood to have fun. Climbing onto her favorite rock, Kallista watched as Astarteth strolled over to Daramulath.
Hello there. Nice day for a swim? Mine is going to rub me with sweet smelling stuff, so I really can not get wet. Interested blue-green eyes watched the bigger brown enjoying himself. Having said her peace, the green moved with grace back over to her rider.
"Are we interrupting? Astarteth insisted on coming out her to get oiled. I know we have been in classes together but not officially met. Kallista, rider of Astarteth. Or will be once she gets big enough." The teen laughed and opened up her jar of flowery smelling oil. Dipping her rag into the stuff, she waited for Astar to get into position.
Make sure you get everywhere so I have no more itches! And my claws are dirty... The green headbutted her beloved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 8:58 pm
"You're not interrupting," E'rik lied easily. As everybody kept saying, he would be dealing with these people for the rest of his life, and it would be well for him to be on good terms with them.
Daramulath panicked very slightly and swam a little deeper into the water at his clutchmate's greeting and inquiry. He wasn't sure how to respond. She'd asked if it was a nice day for swimming, and then gone on to say that she couldn't get wet, which confused him.
E'rik, what should I say to her? Daramulath asked, distracting E'rik from what he had been about to say. E'rik had not yet mastered the art of speaking mind-to-mind with Daramulath, and though he was adept at participating in multiple conversations at once, Daramulath had not yet learned how not to overwhelm his bondmate with his directed thoughts to avoid doing just what he had done.
"To Astarteth?" E'rik clarified. "You might greet her and ask if she'd like to join you in the water."
"I haven't quite gotten the knack for talking to him mind-to-mind," he explained, turning back to Kallista with a chagrined expression. "I was going to say that I've been meaning to find an opportunity to get to know you for some time, Kallista, and I'm pleased to have that opportunity now. I suppose it's redundant, but I'm E'rik and the brown creature who thinks he's a shipfish is Daramulath."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:22 pm
Kallista pulled Astarteth into her lap and began to rub the rag on the little green's belly in a circular motion. The girl had gotten the rhythm down fairly well as soon the soft underbelly was glistening in the sunlight. Looking up, Kallista quirked an eyebrow as E'rik started speaking again.
"Mindspeak? Oh, talking in our heads. Well... I guess all you can do is practice. Try to put the words in his head, maybe like pictures?" Kallista paused in her oiling which caused Astarteth to start pushing at her with her snout.
I am still here and you are not done. Do not stop. The green demanded.
Chuckling, the former runner went back to oiling her girl. She looked at the small but still sharp dragonet claws and noticed that there were some little bits of flesh left over from meals. Patiently, Kallista worked to get her little one just so.
Shipfish? What is a shipfish? Astarteth looked intensely at E'rik though she had not spoken to him but to her beloved. Is that a new dragon?
Snorting, Kallista continued the conversation. "Astar wants to know if a shipfish is a new type of dragon. No, sweets. It is a creature that lives in the water. They eat Thread that gets missed and fish from the seas. The sea is much bigger than the lake is..."
At this, Kallista shuddered. Then something E'rik said had brought her attention back to the present. "Wanting to get to know me? What for?"
Maybe this one can be your mate. His brown is big enough. Astarteth commented in between her sounds of contentment. By now, Kallista had worked her way to the underside of Astarteth's neck and shoulder joints. A dragon massage was in the full works.
Mate? Stop being silly! You can't even fly yet! No one is going to be thinking about mating for a long time!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:39 pm
Putting the words into Daramulath's head was what E'rik tried to do, but since his dragon seemed to know what he meant whether or not E'rik made the extra effort, it was difficult to tell if he was doing it correctly, or if Daramulath was just plucking the thoughts from his mind. He was still not used to the sensation of discovering another's consciousness lurking in his own, taking up space in his head. He would never reject his bondmate, but he had always valued his privacy so much, he seemed only to have the option of allowing Daramulath free reign in his mind or to bar him from it completely. He had learned he could do that by accident two days after Impressing, much to Daramulath's terror. Kallista's suggestion was worth a try, though.
He concentrated hard on putting his words into Daramulath's head, closing his eyes to aid him in concentrating and trying not to frown with the effort. It felt like he was trying to learn to wiggle his ears or something. He'd spent a few sevendays trying to do that when he was eight turns old, and it had been a colossal failure. He asked Daramulath if he had responded to Astarteth yet.
Oh, not yet, Daramulath admitted. Should I do that now?
Probably, E'rik thought, making an effort to push the thought to the brown.
Hello, Astarteth, Daramulath said. It is a good day for swimming. He fell silent, unable to think of anything else to add.
"Sorry," E'rik said. "I'm trying it your way, but it's unfamiliar."
He noticed Kallista shudder as she mentioned the size of the sea and wondered what kind of experience she had had with the sea, that made her react so to the very mention of it, but decided that whatever it was probably would make a poor introductory topic of conversation. He also couldn't help noticing that Astarteth seemed to be a demanding little creature, and was relieved that his own bondmate was more easy going. If Daramulath had been the sort to demand his constant attention he might go insane.
"First, you're a Runner, and that's a profession I know very little about, except that Runners may be the only people who know more about the goings-on of Pern than the Harpers. That interests me. Second, you were a Candidate, which means that some dragon saw something worthwhile in you, and since you Impressed and proved the dragon who Searched you correct, it seemed prudent to meet you. Not everyone Impresses dragons. Mostly I'm curious, I suppose."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:08 pm
It was silent for a few moments as Kallista watched E'rik trying to communicate Daramulath. It was obvious from the look of concentration on his face. His forehead had a few wrinkles of effect in it, honestly giving him a sorta cute look on his face. Not that Kallista would admit to such a thing. Oh, she found boys quite attractive and had already lost her maidenhead to curiosity but that didn't mean she was going to go chasing after anyone, green rider she might be.
Picking at the pieces of flesh, the teen tried not to think "ICK!" After all, it was part of dragon care and Astarteth's health was an important thing. Her legs, however were starting to loose feeling the longer that Astar stayed in her lap.
Astarteth, on the other hand, was the ideal picture of contentment. Her second lids were closed and she was a limp creature for her beloved. Wings stretched out, one could almost imagine a feline being petted... If a feline were not huge and keen on eating you. Come to think of it...
You can swim. I will watch you. And you can watch me get all shiney and pretty. Maybe you could use a good oiling too. Was Astarteth's reply as she half opened an eye to look over at the brown.
When E'rik began to speak again, breaking the silence, Kallista paused for a moment in her cleaning. By now, Astar was in a sleepy mood and didn't protest right away. She tapped the side of her cheek with a finger as she thought about what he said. "I suppose it is true. Runners have been around as long as the traders. Not every one can have a flit or get a ride dragon-back, so it is up the Runner to make sure the message gets delivered and quickly."
You may continue oiling me now. My head, please. And my tail. You have missed a lot of me. Astarteth broke through. She opened both eyes now and was staring directly into Kallista's face.
"There is not much of you to miss!" Kallista laughed but complied with her beastie's demand. "As for being Searched, I was actually on a run when I was discovered. C'ren, green Ceylith's rider, tried to insist I leave right then and there. But I refused until I had finished my contract. So I did and then I returned home to Sandy Bends Station. I am told that it is, or was, my dedication to duty that stood out. Plus whatever Ceylith saw in me."
Silly. I know what she saw. I chose you, didn't I? The little green got all huffy for a moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:31 am
E'rik's fingers moved caressingly over the smooth surface of his pipes, finding the familiar holes automatically and fingering tunes that he'd practiced so frequently it was no longer necessary for his mind to be engaged to play them. He didn't look down at his hands, or even give them a second thought. Someday, he guessed interacting with Daramulath while simultaneously interacting with others would be another effortless action, but he also guessed that day would be some time in coming.
His gaze settled on Astarteth, who seemed blissful at the attention being paid her by Kallista. She had very attractive markings that flattered her form well. He didn't know much about draconic standards of beauty, but he guessed that Astarteth was one who would grow up to have a great deal of appeal and allure to males of her kind. Judging by Daramulath's awkwardness, she already had quite an effect on at least one male. He guessed that would be one of those things Kallista would have to learn to deal with for herself, but he did feel sorry for her, if Astarteth proved to be fickle. It didn't seem like it would be comfortable for a woman to be thrust into one man's bed and then another's, simply because of her dragon's lack of interest in selecting a permanent mate.
Daramulath surfaced and paddled back toward shore a little, using his tail and wings to propel himself forward and holding his head just enough out of the water that his chin skimmed the surface. He was already watching Astarteth, and almost unable to help doing so.
An oiling would be nice, Daramulath agreed. But I do not think my E'rik has brought oil. He brought noise-makers. He makes very pleasant noises with those.
E'rik, not privy to his dragonet's exchange with his clutchmate, had no idea that Daramulath would be interested in being oiled. He'd woken early enough that morning to rub him down and deal with the worst of the patches that had formed overnight on his hide as he grew almost exponentially, but he had not thought it would need doing again so soon.
"It's a very necessary job," E'rik agreed, and then added with a grin, "Trains people to have excellent breathing habits, too. The voice Masters at Harper Hall were always thrilled when they could lure a Runner into an Apprenticeship, because there was less training to be done with them in the basics of breath control."
C'ren was not a name E'rik recognized, though he thought the name Ceylith was familiar. Ceylith, he thought, was a pale green dragon. He confirmed this with Daramulath, who was presently engaged in diving as deep as he could go under the water, and then bursting to the surface with an impressive splash. E'rik wasn't sure if Daramulath was playing or showing off, but he guessed it was a little bit of both.
"Your story proves you to be a credit to your upbringing and your Station," E'rik said smoothly. "However did you encounter a dragon on a run, though?" This was curiosity, rather than incredulity asking the question.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:28 pm
Kallista watched as E'rik fingered his pipes. It must had been something he was good back at the Hall. Definitely a skill she admired for she did not have an ounce of musical talent in her. Though she was oiling Astarteth, she could still admire Daramulath's hide which was a rich brown color with random variations.
"You have a nice looking brown there. I love his coloring. Of course, I may be partial but I think Astar looks the best out of the greens." She was now working on her green's back and had found a few small dry patches. Working extra hard, Kallista made sure the hide was soft and subtle.
Astarteth looked at E'rik as he played with the music thing. It make a few pretty noises. He should know you itch. Kali has enough for both of us.
The green had her head in her fore claws and was also watching Daramulath swim around. It looked like fun but being itched and oiled was so much more nice. Share. Daramulath was oiling.
"I don't think any runners from my father's station ever went to the Hall. Sandy Bend Station?" She asked inquisitively wondering if the name rang a bell. "I can run for hours without having to stop but I can't sing even if it was my only means to a meal."
Putting the rag down, Kallista massaged her hands. They were starting to cramp up from the constant oiling. At least her skin would be nice and soft as well. Rubbing the extra oil up and down her arms, her lightly tanned skin was soon glistening just like her green's skin. "It's quite simply really. Bwanan and Yethketh Holds do a lot of trading between them. Bwanan produces acres of fruit and Yetketh is a hold next to the sea. Every season for the past two turns, I have been contracted to run their trade agreements since neither hold has a flit or enough merit to catch a dragon rider's attention. Apparently, C'ren was at Bwanan for Search and I was the only one who caught Ceylith's attention."
Oh yes, she remembered easily the looks that some of the boys who were Impression age had given her. Shrugging more to herself than to E'rik, Kallista finally registered what Astarteth had said to her. "Astar says your fellow wants to be oiled. But you didn't bring your own?"
Bout time you listened. Astarteth grumbled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 7:37 am
E'rik smiled fondly at the compliment Kallista directed toward Daramulath. Though he'd had nothing to do with his dragon's coloration, and would love him not a whit less had he been purple with yellow splotches, E'rik couldn't help being proud of Daramulath's beautifully shaded hide. He stopped his expression from becoming fatuous, but he could see that his entire life had been taken over by the little dragonet playing in the lake. Like having children. He remembered his mother complaining that she felt bound into a life she never wanted by her children.
You want me, Daramulath said with certainty. The comparison's not quite right. And Astarteth has reminded me that I itch.
In this instance E'rik ignored his dragonet's input. The brown was right, of course, but he didn't need to reply. Daramulath evidently knew he was loved and wanted. Which was a relief. E'rik didn't think he'd be able to stand having a dragon who required constant reassurance that he (or she) was a vital, welcome part of his life. He had ended any romantic relationships in which the girl got too clingy as soon as she started showing signs, but he couldn't do so with a dragon. As for the itching...Daramulath always itched. He'd tend to it when they got back to the Weyrling Barracks.
"I'm sure you're totally impartial," E'rik said with a wry smirk. "Just as I am when I say that Daramulath is probably the most handsome brown I've seen in my vast experience." His tone made it clear that his experience was actually quite limited. "I agree, though, that Astarteth has very attractive markings and shadings."
Moving with more confidence through the water, Daramulath surfaced to look at his glistening sister and reply, He knows. But I prefer to swim now.
E'rik shook his head. He'd had few dealings with Runners in his life, but he didn't think any of them had come from Sandy Bend Station. Well. Kallista had just said that she didn't think anyone from her Station ever made it to Harper Hall. Not as Harpers, and probably not as Runners either. There were closer stations to Fort Hold and Harper Hall.
"That really depends on what you consider singing to be," E'rik said. "But I can see your point. I'm not much for long-distance running, but I used to be pretty good at sprints. Not many places to run, though, around the Weyr, and lots of large, hungry beasts to discourage it."
His gaze followed Kallista's hands as she rubbed oil into the skin of her arms. His thoughts turned briefly carnal at the sight of her glistening flesh, but he ignored them. It had been a while since he'd been with a woman, but he was hardly going to let his more primitive instincts dictate his behavior. He already had a dragon to make him do stupid-looking things. He made himself look at her face as she related her Search tale and reminded himself that she was several years his junior.
"Ah. I was somehow under the impression that you came across a dragonrider while you were on the paths. Forgive me. I don't know where I got that idea." He shook his head, amused at himself for jumping to conclusions. "Yes, I know he does, and I didn't bring my own, no. I thought there might be time after he went swimming to take care of the worst of it in the barracks before the next round of lessons or duties starts in the afternoon."
But if Astarteth is willing to share, I would not mind being oiled now. And then, maybe, you could make some more music sounds? Daramulath's addition to the conversation bordered on plaintive.
Is she willing to share? E'rik asked, aware that Kallista would know he was trying to talk to Daramulath mind-to-mind, and therefore excluding her. It was rude, but there was no help for it.
I don't know. You could ask. The dragonet seemed adamant that E'rik be the one who did the asking, and his bondmate picked up that Daramulath did not feel comfortable asking his sister if she would be willing to share her oil.
"Daramulath would like to know," he began with a sidelong glance at his suddenly recalcitrant dragon, "if Astarteth would be willing to share her oil. Because if she is, he would not mind being oiled now, rather than later. I would like to add that he's capable of waiting, and that neither you nor Astarteth ought to feel pressured."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:43 pm
"There are Runners of every type I am sure. I know some boys who could not run as nearly as long as I could. I can sprint but I am rather clumsy about it, if that makes sense to you." She laughed, a rather pleasant sound. Probably the only musical one she could make.
She paid no attention to the attention he had briefly paid her. They had plenty of time to worry about relationships; especially when Astarteth would rise for the first time. Not an experience she wanted to worry about now. "In the middle of the paths? Now that would be a first," she nodded in agreement.
A pause in the conversation and once again, she recognized the face that gave away when dragon and rider were speaking. By this time, Astarteth had pretty much drifted off to sleep. Her little snores *so cute* were soothing and rhythmic. "Since she is sleeping, I doubt she will mind at all. Go ahead and just take what you need. And, it would be nice if you played your pipes afterward. As long as you are not bad at it."
This was said with a teasing note. Her hazel eyes watched as Daramulath swam closer to the shores with a happy green-blue tinge. Grabbing the cloth and the jar, Kallista moved slowly and carefully to pass everything off to E'rik. "Maybe, you could run with me in the mornings? Once around the bowl is a good way to keep in shape."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:02 pm
E'rik laughed. "I do understand what you mean, actually. I'm far more impressed that you can do long-distance running, though. Even an untrained person can sprint with enough adrenaline going through his or her system, but adrenaline can't sustain a person for the duration of a longer trip. That's training and talent."
E'rik hadn't noticed when Astarteth fell asleep. Likely because she was not taking up space in his mind, nor was she in his lap, cutting off his circulation. Now that the fact had been pointed out, he glanced at the slumbering dragonet and grinned. They were remarkable beasts, dragons. He truly was lucky to be bonded to Daramulath, regardless of what he would have to give up. He held no illusions that he would probably have to give up music at some point in his career as a dragonrider. The wind would destroy his voice and the harnesses his hands. He hastened to think of other things, though, before Daramulath could pick up on that particular thought path.
"Thank you," he said, accepting the cloth and jar from Kallista.
They still had to wait several minutes while Daramulath emerged, dripping, from the water. Naturally, Daramulath's first action on leaving the water was to shake himself thoroughly, mostly spraying his bondmate, though a few errant drops probably managed to land on Kallista and Astarteth, too. Then he rolled gracelessly in the sand, clearly letting the granules slough off some of the hide he seemed to be outgrowing by the hour. The brown was shameless in displaying his pleasure, both at having had the opportunity to swim and at the relief the rough sand gave his itching hide. E'rik watched this and contemplated his water-splattered top with amused resignation.
"If you're ready?" he asked in a tone that was almost mocking. The sarcasm was lost on Daramulath, who trotted over to E'rik and dropped onto his lap like he was a much smaller creature. E'rik would have to take the time to dissuade him of that notion before he got too much larger.
I am. And I itch all over.
E'rik refrained from making further sarcastic remarks that would also go unnoticed by the dragonet and instead began the task of rubbing oil into his hide, which could hardly be considered patchy. He'd been concerned when Kallista mentioned it, thinking that he had been remiss, but now he suspected it was the power of suggestion from Astarteth that had made Daramulath believe himself to itch at all. Nevertheless, he continued to rub the oil in, pressing hard, as though he was massaging a human's muscles because he had already learned that Daramulath liked that.
Oh, yes. More, was his dragon's only reply. That, and squirming so that he was generally more accessible. His second eyelids were closed as he relaxed.
"I can play well enough," E'rik said, affecting modesty. "But lately my only audience has been this uncultured lump on my lap, and I don't know if I can trust his judgment. I think he may be biased." He added the last in a conspirator's stage-whisper.
The offer of running mornings was sorely tempting. Though there was some physical activity involved in Weyrling lessons and chores, it was not the sort he enjoyed. He enjoyed running, and sports which relied on speed and agility and coordination. He'd never learned to swim, but he guessed he would like that, too. The only thing was, if he took her up on the offer, it would cut into his practice time even more. He would have to stay up late every evening to make up for it, since missing lunch was no longer an option, with Daramulath to feed. But still...
"I would really enjoy that," he said, taking what he considered to be the first step in letting go of his life as a Harper. It was about as difficult as he had thought it would be, and had Daramulath been less occupied with his own bliss, E'rik's inner turmoil might have disturbed him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:19 pm
Astarteth snorted in her sleep when some of Daramulath's sheddings landed on her. But instead of waking, the little green merely stretched out, legs sticking all over the place, and huffed in her sleep.
"I suppose it will come in handy the day we go to fight Thread," Kallista remarked. She was bemused by her baby's antics and wondered if dragons dreamed.
Her eyes were on the brown as he rolled in the sand a little bit. How much like other creatures the dragons were but their own personalities! Flits didn't speak and she had not yet got up the nerve to go near ocean waters and converse with a dolphin... Though she had heard from other Runners that they were engaging creatures. Daramulath didn't appear to be too patchy but when E'rik started with the rubbing and oiling, she could have swore the dragon was thrumming in pleasure.
Brought back by the other rider's comments, Kallista blinked and then grinned. "I am sure that we are going to be biased for the rest of our lives. Of course, once they learn better then we will lose the whole worshipful "You can do no wrong" look and tone. I might actually miss that."
Kallista didn't realize that she might be echoing E'rik's thoughts when she replied to his acceptance. "Maybe you can teach me to at least hum on key after dinner? Or maybe play pipes like yours. I can teach you how to breath when running and how to stretch properly."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:35 pm
Daramulath stretched out so that while he was draped over E'rik's lap, both his front and rear ends hung off either side, like a very large ragdoll. E'rik's only reaction to this was to shift the limp dragonet to a more accommodating position and continue to rub him down. At least by doing it now, he might be able to spend less time on it that evening, when he would need the time to practice. A few days' experience had taught him that Daramulath would tire himself completely in order to be in E'rik's presence, so he couldn't go too far to practice, or else he would have to carry Daramulath back to the barracks, which could be awkward, as Daramulath was a cumbersome load and he also had a guitar to contend with.
"Clearly this is why Harpers are generally not encouraged to Impress. We - they are supposed to be mediators and just, and it's hard to be that when you have a dragon influencing your thoughts. Particularly if you're dealing with people who don't appreciate dragons. Although a dragon might give people excellent incentive to tell the truth in such a discussion." He grinned a little wickedly as his mind filled with the mental image of threats of one-way trips between and people being held by the ankle by a draconic claw as the dragon flew circles over the hold. Probably there were rules against that sort of thing.
Daramulath opened one eye fully and trained it on E'rik to say distinctly, I will never stop loving you. You are mine and I am yours. After making his point he closed his eye again and shifted to a position that would be more comfortable for him with little regard for E'rik's comfort.
E'rik interpreted for Kallista: "Daramulath doesn't think that's likely. But I'm inclined to agree with you. I've noticed riders who have been bonded for a while having disagreements with their dragons, and I've heard that dragons can act as their riders' conscience, which only works if the dragon is willing to acknowledge that their human isn't infallible."
Kallista's request might not have been serious - E'rik hadn't been listening closely enough to tell - but the thought of trying to teach another was a little frightening. Granted, he would have eventually done something similar if he'd ever been granted a Mastership as a Harper, but Journeymen Harpers did not teach, and E'rik wasn't even that. He'd never walked the tables. And now he never would. He pushed the dark thought away, confident that it hadn't shown in his expression at least.
"I'd probably have better luck with the pipes, but I'd be willing to try to teach you to match pitches. Technically, I never made it past being an apprentice..." He stopped there. To go any further would be to flirt with displaying his reluctance. He supposed it would still count as practicing, to teach another. Maybe.
You should say yes, Daramulath counselled. And rub harder there because it feels good.
"But I'm game if you are. And I probably should learn how to run properly if I'm going to be doing it with you in the mornings. Otherwise I'll probably drop dead, which would be the height of irresponsibility, considering."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
